Sunderland set for Scocco signing

Sunderland are close to finalising a deal for Argentina striker Ignacio Scocco after agreeing a fee with Brazilian club Internacional.

ESPN sources close to the club have revealed the 28-year-old is just waiting for confirmation of his deal, as he looks to press his claims for inclusion in Argentina's World Cup squad.

The Black Cats have been on Scocco's trail for some time, but the fact that his current club still have to finish paying former side Newell's Old Boys for his transfer last summer has proved a complication.

Should the Wearsiders manage to push through the transfer, the frontman would be the third Argentinian to head for the Stadium of Light this month with keeper Oscar Ustari and central defender Santiago Vergini already on board.

Manager Gus Poyet has also brought in Spanish full-back Marcos Alonso on loan from Fiorentina and recalled striker Connor Wickham from Sheffield Wednesday 24 hours before his loan deal was due to expire.